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Orlando gunman's wife tells FBI she tried to stop husband, drove him to club

All 49 shooting victims identified

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Updated: 12:07 PM EDT Jun 14, 2016

Orlando gunman's wife tells FBI she tried to stop husband, drove him to club

All 49 shooting victims identified

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Updated: 12:07 PM EDT Jun 14, 2016

ORLANDO, Fla. —

According to a NBC report Tuesday morning, Omar Mateen's current wife told FBI she tried to talk her husband out of the Orlando gay club shooting and revealed she drove him to the club once to scope it out.

As investigation into the Orlando mass shooting continue, the FBI is now looking into the possibility that Omar Mateen, the 29-year-old gunman who killed 49 and injured 53 at a gay nightclub in downtown Orlando, planned to target Disney World as well.

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Disney security officials have told the FBI they believe Mateen visited Disney World on April 26 to conduct reconnaissance. A law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation confirmed that the FBI is investigating.

Investigators don't know whether Mateen's wife, who was with him at the time, knew or suspected at the time about her husband's intent, the official said.

Forty-nine people were killed in a shooting at Pulse nightclub early Sunday, and another 53 wounded were taken to local hospitals. Five of those people were gravely injured, officials said.

The massacre is now the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

As more than 300 people packed the club, federal authorities said Omar Mir Seddique Mateen was armed with a .223-caliber AR-type rifle and Glock handgun when he stormed in around 2 a.m. In a video provided to WESH 2 News, more than 20 shots can be heard before the short clip ends.

A high level law enforcement source told WESH 2 News Monday that an arrest in the shooting is possible.

"Everyone get out of Pulse and keep running," the club posted on its official Facebook page at 2:09 a.m.

Police said an officer working at the nightclub responded as shots rang out, and engaged Mateen in a gun battle. Mateen went deeper into the club, where more shots were fired.

The incident then quickly turned in to what police described as a hostage situation, and Mateen continued shooting inside the club.

Three hours later, Orlando Police Chief John Mina said a decision was made to enter the building to rescue hostages. At that point, 11 Orlando police officers and three Orange County sheriff’s deputies exchanged fire with Mateen, who was killed.

"We have some of the most heroic and courageous SWAT team members around. They did a fabulous job and saved many, many lives," Mina said.

Mateen, an American citizen living in Florida, legally purchased the firearms within the past week, according to Trevor Velinor, assistant special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Tampa Field Office.

According to ATF Special Agent in Charge Regina Lombardo, the ATF was able to trace the two weapons found at the scene. The weapons were traced to the last known purchaser, which was the shooter, officials said. Another weapon was also found in his vehicle. Investigators are working to trace that weapon, as well, Lombardo said.

Agent Ronald Hopper said Mateen, who is from Fort Pierce, is an American citizen and had been investigated by the FBI twice before.

According to Hopper, Mateen made comments to co-workers in 2013 that indicated he had ties to terrorist organizations. In 2014, officials found that Mateen had ties to an American suicide bomber, Hopper said.

Law enforcement officials said that shortly before the shooting, Mateen swore allegiance to the leader of ISIS in a 911 phone call, in which he mentioned Boston Marathon bombers Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Tamerlan Tsarnaev.

FBI director James Comey spoke in a news conference Monday, saying investigators saw no indication that the shooter was part of any kind of network, although Comey said there were "strong indications of radicalization by this killer." Comey said the FBI first became aware of Mateen in May 2013.

"We are so sorry for your loss and your suffering," Comey said. He went on to say that investigators are working to determine Mateen's motives and to find details about his life.

"You'll notice that I am not using the killer's name and I will try not to do that. Part of what motivates sick people to do this kind of thing is some twisted notion of fame or glory and I don't want to be part of that, for the sake of the victims and their families," Comey said.

Sen. Bill Nelson said Islamic State News claimed responsibility for the shooting. Law enforcement officials have not confirmed that information, however.

The Vatican said Pope Francis is expressing the "deepest feelings of horror and condemnation" over the mass shooting.

Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said the pontiff denounces the "homicidal folly and senseless hatred." He added that Francis joins the families and injured in the Sunday massacre in “prayer and compassion.”

Orlando City Soccer said the following in an open letter to the City Beautiful on Monday: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of Saturday’s senseless killings in an Orlando night club. At this time, we must all come together to support the victims’ families and their friends. We must also thank the police, the first responders and our partners at Orlando Health, who did so much to save lives." Click here to read the full letter.

Anyone who believes they have a friend or family member that was inside Pulse during the shooting is asked to go to the Family Assistance Center, which will be located at the Beardall Senior Center on Delaney Avenue Monday. Family and friends can also call 407-246-4357.

After a tragedy like this, there is help available to you. Counselors are on standby, whether you're grieving or just need someone to talk to. Call: 407-822-5036. Counselors are local and ready to talk.

Every person killed in the shooting had been identified by Monday night.

The owner of Pulse said in a statement Sunday that she was "devastated."

"Pulse, and the men and women who work there, have been my family for nearly 15 years," said Barbara Poma. "From the beginning, Pulse has served as a place of love and acceptance for the LGBT community. I want to express my profound sadness and condolences to all who have lost loved ones. Please know that my grief and heart are with you."

Anyone else with information on the nightclub massacre can call the FBI at 800-CALL-FBI.